Planting seeds for Lutheran Campus Ministry and new & emerging ministries

New and emerging ministries

The Grand Canyon Synod is aware that emerging ministries need additional support for a longer period of time than the initial funding sources allowed. Funds raised for emerging ministries will be another resource allowing these ministries to grow and prosper. 

New ministry funding will provide grants to those making proposals that offer possibilities for new ministry collaborations between congregations and/or other ministry entities.

These funds would ideally be available on a 70-30 basis—emerging ministries 70% and new ministries 30%—depending on need and demand. 

$150,000 was raised for new and emerging ministries in the first year of our appeal. With your help, we can raise $83,333 during our stretch goal.

Campus Ministry Funding

$100,000 was raised for Lutheran Campus Ministries in the first year of our appeal.

  • $50,000 was allocated for University of Arizona Campus ministry to sustain the Lutheran presence on the campus in collaboration with Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal partners. 

  • $50,000 was allocated to explore and potentially launch a Lutheran Campus Ministry program in the Las Vegas area in collaboration with GCS Las Vegas congregations. 

In the stretch goal of our appeal, we plan to raise an additional $83,333 for campus ministry funding throughout our synod.

Growing Future Ministries FAQs

What is campus ministry and why is it important?

Campus ministry provides a Lutheran presence on college campuses. A high percentage of pastors and lay leaders have participated in campus ministry. Approximately one-third of those participating in campus ministry have never been part of a Lutheran church. Campus ministry provides an invaluable opportunity to reach young people who are yearning for connection and meaning.

What will the money be used for at the University of Arizona campus ministry?

The University of Arizon Campus Ministry needs new and larger facilities to continue its ministry to college students. The funds will enable Campus Ministry to secure these facilities to continue and expand its ministry to students in Tucson.

What will the money be used for in the Las Vegas area? 

The money will be used to explore and, if warranted, launch a campus ministry in the Las Vegas area with a bilingual pastor. This effort will be coordinated with Grand Canyon Synod Lutheran congregations in the Las Vegas area.

What are emerging ministries and how will the money be used?

With demographics changing and people in our synod becoming younger and more diverse, we must shape our ministries to be meaningful to this wider audience. Emerging ministries involve efforts to meet these changing needs. Funds raised for emerging ministries will provide additional seed money to support these ministries as they grow and prosper, especially as we emerge from the pandemic. 

What are new ministry collaborations?

Many congregations work with other congregations or organizations in order to perform ministry. For example, two congregations may decide to pool their resources for youth ministry which, for various reasons, neither can adequately perform alone. The funds raised for this activity will be used to provide grants to help plan and get these efforts off the ground.